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Microsoft Game Studios Vice President Says 3D Gaming "More Like a Science Experiment"

Microsoft Game Studios Vice President Phil Spencer opened up to CNN on the subject of 3D television technology and videogames. The short version? They're taking a cautious approach because there are several times as many Xbox 360s in homes as there are 3D TVs, they don't have a TV to sell themselves, and the glasses aren't mainstream. Yes, there are already games supporting 3D on Xbox 360 such as Batman: Arkham Asylum, but of that experience Spencer said, "It felt a little more like a science experiment than something that's going to go touch millions of people."

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While recent NPD sales reports confirm continued strong sales of the Xbox 360, CNN notes that research firm DisplaySearch anticipates shipments of 3D TVs to come in below industry expectations. Along with acknowledging this general lack of the hardware in homes, Spencer questions whether people will take to the idea of wearing glasses to watch TV. "A bunch of people sitting around the living room wearing $150 glasses -- I'm just not sure that's kind of mainstream today," he said. Of course, he also pointed out that, "As a corporate mandate, I don't need to sell you a new TV... Other companies maybe have that as part of their business model."

Spencer does say that they're not turning a blind eye to 3D. He notes, "Clearly, we're not going to ignore 3D. I think it is something that will play a role in entertainment." And when glasses aren't involved his outlook changes as he likes the idea Nintendo's 3DS, though he hasn't seen it firsthand. Sounds like, at least for the time being, Microsoft is happy to have games like Call of Duty: Black Ops supporting 3D on the Xbox 360, but the company won't be pushing that support as a top priority.